Heat Insulated Container with Shrink-Deformable Film Holder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulating containers using heat-shrinkable films or shape-memory resins face limitations in deformation mechanisms, particularly in projecting outwardly to form insulating holders without manual intervention and maintaining a low stack height for efficient storage and handling.

Innovation Solution

A shrink-deformable film is bonded to the exterior sleeve of a container, allowing it to deform into an insulating holder when heated or subjected to microwaves, eliminating the need for manual deformation and enabling a low stack height configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an exterior sleeve is manually pulled-up and pulled-down to deform slit forming sections into an insulating holder, then the container provides heat insulation, but it requires manual intervention and increases handling complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat insulationVSAvoidmanual handling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The exterior sleeve automatically deforms the slit forming sections into an insulating holder through self-service mechanisms. The sleeve is configured to project outwardly and compress the slit forming sections without requiring manual intervention, allowing the container to provide heat insulation autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical action of pulling-up and pulling-down the exterior sleeve is replaced by an automatic deformation mechanism. The slit forming sections are designed to deform automatically through their structural configuration, substituting the need for manual mechanical operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the exterior sleeve is deformed into an insulating holder by manual intervention, then heat insulation is achieved, but the stack height increases and storage efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat insulationVSAvoidstack height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The exterior sleeve transitions from a flat state during storage to a deformed insulating holder state during use. This dynamic transformation allows the container to maintain a low stack height when not in use while providing heat insulation when needed, optimizing both storage efficiency and functional performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The slit forming sections are nested within the exterior sleeve in a compact configuration during storage. When deformed, they expand outward to form the insulating holder, similar to a nested doll structure that can be compressed for storage and expanded for use, thereby maintaining low stack height while providing insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Extent of automation

If a heat-shrinkable film is used to deform the exterior sleeve, then automatic deformation is achieved, but the film must be directly heated which increases energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic deformationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A shrink-deformable film made of shape-memory resin is used as an intermediary between the heat source and the exterior sleeve. This film can be indirectly heated by microwave radiation, reducing direct heat exposure and energy consumption while still achieving automatic deformation of the exterior sleeve into the insulating holder configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the container is designed with a low stack height configuration, then transport efficiency improves, but the exterior sleeve deformation mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport efficiencyVSAvoiddeformation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The exterior sleeve is designed with localized slit forming sections that deform into insulating holders only at specific locations where heat insulation is needed. This local quality approach allows the container to maintain a low stack height overall while providing insulation functionality, avoiding the need for complex deformation mechanisms throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides improved heat insulation, reduced manual handling requirements, and a consistent, lower stack height for containers, enhancing transport and handling efficiency while allowing for shape adaptation based on slit configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a shrink-deformable film which is shrink-deformed by heat generated by microwave, or a shrink-deformable film made of a shape-memory resin which deforms into a shrunk shape by heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat-shrinkage: Thermal Contraction

Implementation Method 2

a shrink-deformable film made of a shape-memory resin which deforms into a shrunk shape by heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShape-memory resin deformation: Shape Memory Polymer

Implementation Method 3

to have the exterior sleeve project outwardly by compressing a slit forming section provided on the exterior sleeve in an up-and-down direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

hot water or high-temperature drink is poured into the container, the container is heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Implementation Method 5

the container is subjected to microwave by a kitchen microwave

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave heating: Microwave Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP2202178B1Heat insulated container
Publication Date: 2013.05.01 TOKAN KOGYO CO LTD
  • EP2202178B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2202178B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2202178B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an improvement of an insulating container wherein either one of an upper portion or a lower portion of an exterior sleeve is fixed to a container main body so as to be fit onto the container main body, and a slit forming section including a group of slits formed on the exterior sleeve is compressed in an up-and-down direction to have the slit forming section project outwardly from the exterior sleeve in order to form an insulating holder. An inside wall surface of the exterior sleeve is provided with a shrink-deformable film, an upper portion of the shrink-deformable film is bonded to an upper portion of the exterior sleeve beyond the slit forming section, whereas a middle section covering the slit forming section is free from bonding, a lower portion is bonded to a lower portion of the exterior sleeve beyond the slit forming section, and the shrink-deformable film is shrunk to have the slit forming section project outwardly from the exterior sleeve.